Ukraine, Slovenia

Ukraine: UGCC primate on the 20th anniversary of independence “I cordially greet you all, those in Ukraine and in the diaspora”, and “join you in a thanksgiving prayer to the Almighty Lord for the invaluable gift of freedom for the native land and our state” wrote the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), in his address on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union, celebrated past August 24th. According to the hierarch, the celebration of the national jubilee is not only a reason for joy and gratitude but “an excellent opportunity to meditate on what kind of state we want and need,” a state where the social, economic, political and other dimensions of life of the people are based on integrity, justice and responsibility.” The head of UGCC stressed in his address that integrity and justice are different aspects of the same essence: “Social justice is based on personal integrity, and honest citizens are a reliable support of the just authorities.” His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that “our state will be just only when the purpose of its government is the service for the good of all its citizens”. “Such a state respects the dignity of the person and ensures necessary conditions for the growth of each member of the society as a free personality created from the image of God. It is about justice which is not repressive or punitive in its essence”. It is “justice which frees and saves.” “It requires of us respecting other persons regardless of their origin, political or religious beliefs”, such justice “calls us to social non-acceptance of extremism, violence and disrespect for social peace.” “This justice sets for the authorities the task of ensuring actual realization of the citizens’ rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of our state, particularly, the right to education, pension and social maintenance and the right to work and health service”. For His Beatitude Sviatoslav the state should guarantee “the establishment of fair conditions for the development of private initiative and economic activity on the basis of subsidiarity, fair right of vote and public and political activity.” The hierarch also tackled the question of religious freedom: “The state should ensure for its citizens the realization of the undeniable right to religious freedom and equal treatment by the authorities of all the churches and religious organizations whose activity is permitted in our state.” Slovenia: three peoples at the Zaplaz shrine “The basis of our encounter is that despite all linguistic and cultural differences we are united by the fact that we’re following the same path, we share the same truth and we hope in the same fullness of life, that is Jesus Christ”. The Archbishop of Ljubljana Msgr. Anton Stres, explained to over 2.000 faithful present the meaning of the “Pilgrimage of the three peoples” (from Friuli, Carinthia, and Slovenia) held a few days ago in the Marian shrine of Zaplaz, in the Slovenian diocese of Novo Mesto. The meeting was called in 1981 by the then Bishop of Udine Msgr. Alfredo Battisti, with the purpose of seeing “gathered in prayer pilgrims from Friuli, Carinthia and Slovenia sharing their profound and ancient devotion to the Virgin Mary.” The pilgrims prayed and chanted in their native languages during the Mass that was co-celebrated by seven bishops in front of the shrine. 500 pilgrims from Friuli were accompanied by Msgr. Andrea Bruno Mazzocato, archbishop of Udine, who underlined that at a “seriously difficult time for Europe we must look ahead with faith and hope. Also this pilgrimage is intended to create the germs of communion. It is widely believed that along with the economy and the single currency, common European themes are also absent.” According to this perspective, continued Msgr. Mazzocato “we wish to consolidate the communion amongst our Churches that are at the heart of the European continent and identify the roots of their specifically Christian tradition in the mother Church of Aquileia”. For the archbishop of Udine, in a dimension of united Europe, a fundamental role is played by the youth. “The future of Europe inevitably involves the young generations – he underlined -, that’s why it’s important to educate the youth and prepare them for their future.” The slogan chosen for this year’s pilgrimage has been “On new roads towards new days.” The bishop of Novo Mesto, Msgr. Andrej Glavan, reminded the faithful that they are accompanied “on the paths of your lives” by Slovenian Blessed Alojzij Grodze, member of Catholic Action. Unjustly accused of being a secret spy of anti-communist militants during World War Two, he was subjected to atrocious suffering and torture that he endured with great spiritual force. As a Christian martyr his exemplary life ended when he was only twenty. His tomb at the cemetery of Šentrupert has become a pilgrimage destination.